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The Regina Pats are hoping the balls fall their way when it comes to the WHL Entry Draft.
The league’s draft lottery will take place on Thursday, ahead of the May 7 draft.
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The Edmonton Oil Kings (six balls), Regina Pats (five balls) and Kelowna Rockets (four balls) all have a chance at getting the first overall pick in the WHL prospects draft.
If the Everett Silvertips (three balls), Vancouver Giants (two balls), or Red Deer Rebels (one ball) win the lottery, the most they can move up is two spots, meaning Edmonton would pick first.
That means the Pats have a 23.8 per cent chance of landing the first overall pick, after finishing their season with a 16-44-5-3 record. The last time the Pats picked first overall, they selected future NHL star Connor Bedard in 2020.
The Oil Kings, who lost to the Prince Albert Raiders in Game 7 of the opening round of the playoffs, have the best draft odds due to a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Warriors finished the season at 15-45-6-2.
One of the top draft prospects this season in Regina Pat Canadians star forward Maddox Schultz, who led the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League in points despite only just recently turning 15.
The league will stream the draft lottery live on Victory+ at 6 p.m.
